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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Specialty care

Associations Between COVID-19 Therapies and Outcomes in Rural and Urban America: A Multisite, Temporal Analysis from the Alpha to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Examines COVID-19 treatment, health outcomes, and mortality disparities in rural and urban areas of the United States. Analyzes 2021-2023 National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data from 3,018,646 patients to break down COVID-19 disparities according to patient demographics, vaccine status, comorbidities, U.S. Census region, and adverse inpatient events, as well as urban, urban-adjacent, or nonurban-adjacent location.
Author(s): A. Jerrod Anzalone, William H. Beasley, Kimberly Murray, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Impact of Rural Location on Receipt of Standard of Care Treatment and Survival for Locally Advanced Bladder Cancer in Louisiana
Examines whether rural or urban dwelling affects odds of receiving standard of care (SOC) treatment and survival outcomes among 983 locally advanced bladder cancer patients in Louisiana. Utilizes 2010-2020 Louisiana Tumor Registry data.
Author(s): Megan Escott, Yong Yi, Ashley Foret, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 13(12), e7301
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine for Sepsis Is Used Less Frequently in Communities with High Social Vulnerability
Examines the relationship between provider-to-provider emergency department-based telehealth consultation (tele-ED) and the prevalence of sepsis in counties with elevated social vulnerability index (SVI) scores. Analyzes 2016-2019 data from 1191 patients treated in rural, Midwestern EDs, with breakdowns according to patient, provider, hospital, and county characteristics. Discusses the relationship between SVI scores and tele-ED use.
Author(s): Kevin J. Tu, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Uche E. Okoro, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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Supporting Direct Acting Antiviral Medication Adherence and Treatment Completion in a Sample of Predominantly Rural Veterans with Hepatitis C and Substance Use Disorders
Explores strategies to improve direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment among rural veterans with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and substance use disorder (SUD). Analyzes a clinic-based intervention that utilizes motivational interviewing (MI) to improve medication adherence among 20 enrolled participants in a 12-week course.
Author(s): Mary Jane Burton, Andrew C. Voluse, Amee B. Patel
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 19, 51
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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Is Peer Support a Tipping Point for the Opioid Use Disorder Crisis in Appalachia? Research Holds the Answer
Investigates how the relationship among cultural, socioeconomic, medical, and geographic factors in Central Appalachia create additional burdens for opioid use recovery. Analyzes the effectiveness of medications for opioid use disorder and peer recovery support services, providing recommendations to address opioid use disorder in Appalachia.
Author(s): Kimberly Horn, Stephanie M. Mathis, Lara Nagle, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction, 21, 122
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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Health Disparities in Psoriasis: Geographic Barriers to Access in the United States
Analyzes geographic access to dermatologists among patients with a psoriasis diagnosis and one or more claims for advanced psoriasis therapy, utilizing 2015-2019 STATinMED patient claims data. Compares rural versus urban provider availability by specialty and rates at which patients received local and non-local care.
Author(s): Lauren Seigel, Sofia Shoaib, Keshia Maughn, et al.
Citation: Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 35(1), 2365820
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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New Mexico Medicaid: Physical Health and Behavioral Health Workforce
Reports on New Mexico healthcare workforce trends. Discusses healthcare workforce graduation data, Medicaid enrollment compared to provider access, and specialty care provider trends. Includes county-level data of workforce distribution by provider type. Offers recommendations to increase the healthcare workforce, recruitment and retention, and increasing access to healthcare.
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee
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"I Don't Think That a Medication Is Going to Help Someone Long-Term Stay off Opioids": Treatment and Recovery Beliefs of Rural Vermont Family Members of People with Opioid Use Disorder
Examines beliefs related to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and recovery from the perspective of the family members of people with OUD. Analyzes interview data from 20 rural Vermont family members and discusses themes such as medication for OUD (MOUD), OUD treatment and mental health services, patient readiness for OUD treatment, and stigma.
Author(s): Catherine E. Peasley-Miklus, Julia G. Shaw, Katie Rosingana, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2024
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers approaches for updating fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare's physician fee schedule (PFS) payments and incentivizing participation in alternative payment models; provider networks and prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; an assessment of the relative completeness of MA encounter data and other data sources; Medicare coverage and payments for medical software; alternate approaches to lower Medicare payment rates for select conditions in inpatient rehabilitation facilities; and Medicare's Acute Hospital Care at Home program. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Providing Employment Services to Individuals in Recovery: Lessons from Addiction Recovery Care
Explores a substance use disorder (SUD) recovery program in rural Appalachian Kentucky that pairs the residential clinic with employment services. Details the phases and strategies of the recovery program: stabilization, recovery and life skills, taking action, and job skills and education. Discusses the demographic profile of those in recovery and the impact of providing occupational training during treatment.
Author(s): Robin Koralek, Hannah Engle, Chelsea Jackson, Hannah Pico
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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